Ponderosa Way Explained

The Civilian Conservation Corps built an 800 mile long firebreak called Ponderosa Way during the Great Depression.^[1] This firebreak runs through part of Oregon and California.^{[2] [3] [4]} The Civilian Conservation Corps was created in 1933 to put unemployed men to work.

Much of Ponderosa Way has fallen into disrepair. However, the Federal Highway Administration plans to replace a bridge where Ponderosa Way crosses over the North Fork American River at coordinates . The new bridge will help to reduce erosion by fast moving water around its supports—a problem called bridge scour.

The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2022.^[5]

Notes and References

1. HISTORIC TRAIL MAPPING IN SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA . Betty Elaine Smith . July 9, 2011 . . November 17, 2020.
2. News: 800-mile long firebreak, lost to history, holds lessons for safeguarding state . San Francisco Chronicle . November 15, 2020 . November 15, 2020.
3. Web site: Ponderosa Way . University of California, Department of Geography . November 15, 2020.
4. News: Invisible federal road stretches 672 miles; local officials ponder how to save it . ROGER AYLWORTH . April 21, 2018 . . . November 15, 2020.
5. Web site: Ponderosa Way Bridge Replacement . the Federal Highway Administration . November 15, 2020.